Captain Swan role reversal story. Pirate!Emma and Naval!Killian OR What I think we might see in the S4 finale

Captain Jones of the Royal Navy walked quickly across the plank connecting his ship to the notorious pirate ship; the Black Swan. His feet landed on the weathered deck with a loud thump and he looked around at the buccaneers gathered to watch the parley between him and the so called Pirate Queen. They were a motley and dirty lot, the very opposite of his well polished and disciplined crew. He glanced around looking for their Captain and spotted her leaning casually against the mast.

He had heard of the famous Captain of the Black Swan; of her terrible beauty that crushed men's souls. He had thought the stories were exaggerated- he was wrong. His eyes traveled up her tight black leather trousers, to her brilliant red waistcoat, and the charms laying on a heavy gold chain over her generous cleavage (where he paused momentarily). Then he quickly continued up catching the bright red of her lips and the golden cascade of her long hair before ending at her brilliant, flashing, green eyes rimmed in the blackest of kohl. She gave him a slow predatory smile.

"Ah Captain Jones. At last we meet."

With the grace of a cat she pushed off the mast and approached. With considerable effort Killian kept his eyes from wandering over her lithe form, it would not do to show any interest in her physical attributes and give her even more power in this exchange. Falling back on decorum Killian executed a flawless bow.

"Captain Swan."

The crew erupted into laughter at his gesture. Their Captain laughed loudest; high and free. Killian fought back the blush rushing to his cheeks.

"Oh my. It looks like we have a proper gentleman here lads! Bowing at me like I was a princess at a ball."

Killian bit back a retort as the crew chuckled anew. Her eyes raked over his body speculatively and she tilted her head.

"Although if you were interested in dancing." she raised her eyebrows suggestively and took a step into his personal space, leading with her hips. "I think that could be arranged"

The tone of the crew's laughter changed and Killian was sure they knew exactly what she meant by "dancing".

He allowed himself a brief look down and over her sinfully close body but kept his own body rigid, his hands clasped firmly behind his back.

"I have come with a proposition." he began only to be interrupted by more laughter.

"It's been a long time since I was properly propositioned Captain." she spoke in a high mocking tone but her eyes spoke of dark promises. She swayed even closer until her breasts were against his chest, her hips an inch from his own. He sucked in a sharp breath as his blood rushed traitorously south. She might be able to enchant other men with a few dark looks but he was a Captain in His Majestie's fleet, commander of the Jewel of the Realm and not so easily distracted- no matter how attractive the woman. He fixed her with an unimpressed frown and cleared his throat.

"If you are quite finished."

"Oh the fun has just begun." She murmured into his ear before pulling away and sending him a wink. Then she stepped back quickly turning her head and whipping her golden hair into his face. "Back to work." she ordered in a commanding voice that gave him chills. The deck cleared immediately and Killian was impressed by the discipline of her crew.

She turned back to him with smirk. "Proceed." she waved her hand before settling it on her sword hilt and looking at him expectantly.

He drew a deep breath. This was the moment of truth and Henry was counting on him.

"I have recently encountered a young man who claims, among other things, that magic has changed our world; making it darker and taking away the happy endings of the rightful heroes. He believes that you are the key to restoring the lost happy endings."

Her eyes narrowed and her grip on her sword tightened. "Me?"

"Aye."

"Is this a joke?"

Killian shook his head, knowing how she felt. When Henry had first been pulled from the ocean Killian had not believed his wild tale. But the lad knew much that he shouldn't and the more Killian listened the more he began to feel the boy was right. The world needed to be set right, it was the heroes' quest Killian had always wanted to undertake.

"I assure you the lad is sincere."

"Just because he believes something is true doesn't mean it is." She spoke sarcastically and then looked startled. Killian wondered if she had felt the same sense of deja vu he had at her words. As if he had heard her say that exact phrase in some distant past. She furrowed her brow and Killian pressed his advantage.

"This world we live in, it isn't right. Surely you feel that? Feel that something is wrong?"

She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. Killian felt a small victory that she was even considering his words. Henry had been convinced that the fearsome Captain Swan would listen and help them. He hadn't believed the lad but he loved a challenge and had agreed to try.

Killian allowed himself a small smile. You do feel it."

She darted a look at him. "I don't think there is a pirate living or dead who doesn't wish their life had gone differently. That means nothing. And besides if I help you 'bring back the happy endings' what guarantee do I have that I will like that life better than this one?" she gestured widely at her ship and the brilliant blue sea beyond.

It was the same question that Killian had asked Henry and so he gave her the same answer. "Because in this life you don't have love or a real family but in the life that you've lost you have people that care about you. You have a home."

She glanced around the ship, it's proud sail glinting in the sun, and he wondered if, like him, the only thing she truly loved was her ship and the sea. And if, like him, she had spent nights wondering if life could be full of more than a few planks and a sail.

"Trust your gut Swan it will tell you what to do." The words fell from his mouth unbidden but they felt familiar and true. She looked at him with a mix of wonder and surprise and his grin grew wide.

He didn't know her, he had just met her, but in that moment he knew that she would come with him and they would bring back the happy endings.